So here it goes. Just bought a '66 coupe with a 289 V8, first Mustang I have ever owned. I noticed that the temp guage (stock) is running near the first line towards the H, right above the P in TEMP. Is this normal? Can the car safely run at this temperature? There is an Edelbrock performer intake manifold and 4bbl Edelbrock performer carb on there as well, also a condensor for an A/C unit sits in front of the radiator with a small tranny cooler offset in front of that. I put an electric fan on there and took off the stock fan, with no luck it is still running hot. Mind you I live in AZ so it around 103-110 degrees ambient air. I know a guy that will make a custom radiator with thermostat activated fans and a overflow tank, but that is going to cost some coin, is there something that I can do for about $200 to get me out of this overheating issue? is there an issue?

 

Hello, and welcome to the forum. [8D]

A few things to look at when you're overheating:

Exactly what temperature are you running at? Stock gauges are notoriously inaccurate. A mechanical water temp gauge will help clear up what is really going on.
When does it overheat? Going slow in traffic, cruising down the highway, or all the time?
What condition is your radiator in? How big is it and how many rows does it have?
Is your timing set properly and your advance working? Retarded timing can contribute to overheating.
What kind of fan did you have before the electric fan and what electric fan do you have now?
Did you check or replace the thermostat?
Do you have an overflow tank?

Here's some great reading on the topic: http://www.gtoalley.com/ttcool.html

This is a topic that has been discussed quite a bit and a quick search should turn up a lot of information.

 

Your radiator may not be large enough, or may be plugged up. In Phoenix you should have a 4 row copper, or a two row aluminum radiator, IMO of course.

For $289 you can buy one of theseradiators in the below link. I bought the second one, it keeps my 66 with a 408 cool, no problem.

IMO these are pretty good radiators and they appear to be of good quality, they are American made, and American brand (Northern).

It isa direct bolt in, and IMO it will do more dollar for dollar to keep you car cool than any other thing you can buy. And for sure change your thermostat also.

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...148+115+400304

My son's car can idle indefinitely and stay between 185 and 190, I know because I put a new elec fan in today,,,, gave it a good test... (has 185 thermostat)

If you get one of these, make sure you get the right one, bottom hose locations are on different sides.

 

I have a quick question regarding this. I have a 65 coupe with a auto 302W. If I have a 180 thermostat in the car will it run hotter than if I have a 160 degree thermostat. Just asking because my car takes a while to warm up and then goes to about 170. After about 15 min in traffic heats up to about 200-210. It has a new water pump, shroud, five blade and aluminium radiator. It has a/c. I am thinking I may have a 180 thermostat and will change it to 160.

 

Thanks for the advice!! I will look into all of the suggestions, I am trying to do most of the stuff myself, but am fairly green when it comes to cars, I know just enough to be dangerous, but luckily know someone who lives fairly close and is related to me that knows a ton about cars, so he can doublecheck my work. I will have him time the car and make sure that it is staying within reason through the RPM's. I will also get a new thermostat and get a mechanical thermometer, plus a radiator with 4 rows. The electric fan made it run about the same as before, a little bit cooler while city driving. Both city and highway driving run around the P on temp, city driving runs on the right side of the P, highway about middle of the P. I don't know too much about the radiator in it right now, except it is not keeping the car cool, and it looks like it has seen better days.

 

So, I will definitely be getting a new radiator. Today the radiator blew a big hole at the bottom of it, there was coolant everywhere. I am looking for a nice aluminum crossflow radiator in the phoenix area, if anybody knows of a place let me know. My cousin knows a place called air mobile that I am going to check out tomorrow, hopefully he has one. I will keep you posted on the progress of my search and let you know what I find. Thanks again everyone for the advice!!!

 

Alright, so quick update. Found a place here (Phoenix, AZ) called cool craft, they specialize in custom and race radiators. I got a 2 row downflow aluminum radiator 3/8th centers and 1 inch tubes, I also ordered a polished shroud with an electric fan that will pull 2000cfm. I need to wait a week for the shroud and fan assembly. I will update you with how it does on cooling down the car.




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Looks like a nice setup!!

 

After much waiting for a shroud to be stamped for the radiator that I bought, to refresh the memory it was a 2 row aluminum that I got from a local place, I finally recieved it yesterday. I had an electric fan hooked to it that pumps around 2000 CFM. I put the new setup on this morning and what a difference. The temperature gauge now stays right in the middle where I beleive it should be. Even with my A/C unit on, the temperature is well below where it was before, without the A/C running. I am so happy that fixed the issue as the radiator set up cost around $650.00, but it looks and works great. Thanks for all the advice on the subject to everyone that responded.




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